A MASSIVE scheme to transform one of Manchester's biggest eyesores will bring 3,000 jobs and £90m to the local economy, developers claim.
The Renaissance Hotel, in Blackfriars Street, opposite No1 Deansgate, will be torn down and replaced with a new luxury hotel, a 36-floor tower containing 250 apartments, shops and restaurants and 600-space underground car park.
A new square will be built at the corner of Deansgate and Blackfriars and a walkway created alongside the River Irwell. A council report says it will `reconnect' the Manchester and Salford sides of the river.
The project is the final piece of a masterplan to redevelop the area of the city centre damaged by the 1996 IRA bomb.
Pledge
Developers West Properties gained the site - formerly the Ramada Hotel - from freeholders Manchester council last year in a deal thought to be worth more than £20m.
They pledged `total and comprehensive' redevelopment of the `tired and ugly' buildings.
Their plans are recommended for approval when they go before the town hall executive tomorrow .
They could then go to public consultation as early as next week before a planning application is submitted.
Colin Roy of West Properties said: "We are really excited to be able to take down a building which no longer matches what has been built around it and put something in its place that will meet the needs of Manchester's growing commercial and shopping heart."
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Mr Angry, Bury (21/10/2008 at 08:01)
Beaufort (21/10/2008 at 08:21)
And why oh why are the building another 250 apartments? We don't need them.
I have a flat at the other end of Deansgate that was bought for £230k in 2003 and is now on at £199k and has had one viewing in 18 months. Estate agencies said even before the credit crunch that there are too many up for sale and everyone wants the new builds so all this is going to do is make it even worse for the re-sale market (not that there is one).
I'm fed up of this council kow towing to developers. I agree that this building is an eyesore but just build another hotel.
I've seen these planning applications before and some commitee will approve it because the read and believe the 3,000 jobs bit.
Beaufort (21/10/2008 at 08:24)
They are planning to build a riverside walkway and the council see this as a benefit because it will connect the Salford and Manchester sides of the Irwell - well Blackfrirs Bridge already does that.
Al Capone (21/10/2008 at 08:26)
citycentre, manchester (21/10/2008 at 09:00)
Beaufort (21/10/2008 at 09:13)
Rt Hon Dr Rev MC Spanner MP QC FCA FRICS JP OK (21/10/2008 at 09:31)
I wonder why they joined United City then, with their planning application coming up so soon.
From what I know of West, the apartments tend to be very high spec for buy-to-let so it will be interesting to see the take up in the current climate.
Anything is better than the current eyesore
Octavius Tinsworth Ace (21/10/2008 at 09:32)
Not only that, but it's a small boost to the local economy in otherwise gloomy times.
Amazing that people can whinge about that. Actually, I'm not amazed at all. In fact I'm surprised no-one (at the time of writing) has yet managed to use this story as an excuse to moan about the congestion charge.
PW, Manchester (21/10/2008 at 09:52)
As for this building. I too am amazed that it is regarded as more of a priority than tearing down the horrible Piccadilly that used to be such a delight to look at and walk in. I think those responsible for that should be answerable. They did it with our money, for heaven's sake.
Beaufort (21/10/2008 at 09:59)
I bought into the city centre and I spend my money in it's restaurant's, theatres etc but the council is allowing over supply of apartments. If nobody can sell their apartment (this is before the credit crunch) unless the are willing to go into negative equity and there are about 3,000 apartments up for sale that can't be sold then why do we need another 800 (including those at the other end of Deansgate)? The only people making money are the council and the developers and they are leaving the city centre residents high and dry.
It stinks.
Beaufort (21/10/2008 at 10:02)
Where I live now there were empty units, so what were these to be? Planning permission said a doctors surgery and a small grocery store. What are they now? Been empty for six year but where was the surgery that was promised? It is now being touted as a possible car showroom.
citycentre, manchester (21/10/2008 at 10:24)
"citycentre, just because yopu want to make money on your flat. tut tut!"
and
"The only people making money are the council and the developers and they are leaving the city centre residents high and dry"
so which is it? am i going to make money or not?
when i bought, about 6 years ago, it was fairly obvious that the number of flats being built and the timing in the property cycle meant there would be no chance of any significant increase in value, so i made sure i could afford what i was buying, even if values dropped and interest rates rose (again a likely outcome then).
Beaufort (21/10/2008 at 10:37)
However, what if your circumstances change, as did mine? What if you lost your job and the only one you could get was sixty miles away and you needed to sell?
What, if like me, Northern Rock put up your mortgage by 49%? I'm sure that not even your prudent goodself has budgetted for such an increase? I thought maybe an extra £200 pcm on my mortgae once the fixed term ended, not £500 and I knew that I would make much if anything but didn't bargain on a 25% decrease in value on the price paid.
When the market is saturated why approve more apartments? The crazy thing is I haven't lived in it since December so it has being lying empty. You pay no Council Tax for the first six months but after that you apy half so I pay tax on an empty property!
joe coleman (21/10/2008 at 10:42)
Octavius Tinsworth Ace (21/10/2008 at 10:44)
PW, Manchester (21/10/2008 at 11:17)
Albert Bino (21/10/2008 at 12:47)
Barney Gumball (21/10/2008 at 12:57)
citycentre, manchester (21/10/2008 at 13:56)
my lender probably made smaller profits in the past few years, but hasnt gone, effectivly, bankrupt and been taken over by the government
As i chose to buy within my means and have managed to pay off a good portion of the capital while times are good i could probably afford a doubling of my current payment, although my social life would take a big hit
Octavius Tinsworth Ace (21/10/2008 at 14:15)
Yes, OK, they granted planning permission as well as sold them the site but it's still not the same involvement as would be required by them to redevelop a public space.
It's irrelevant to compare this with Piccadilly anyway (I'd question your rose-tinted memory of the old gardens, incidentally) as opinions were distinctly divided over the attributes of the old gardens, whereas practically no-one likes the current Ramada complex. This is a redevelopment of what is currently a very shabby building and includes much-needed open space. I really don't see what there is to complain about.
PW, Manchester (21/10/2008 at 14:59)
droylsdenred, manchester (21/10/2008 at 15:05)
yet again !! releasing plans
before the hotel was even consulted.....shame on you !!
Beaufort (21/10/2008 at 17:15)
The only way out is to flog our cottage in the Lakes but why should we?
Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Central Manchester (21/10/2008 at 18:40)
Secondly, hotels are EXACTLY what the city needs. There aren't enough at the moment. It disappoints me that so many people don't realise how great their own city is and how many vistors from all over the world that it attracts. Frequently throughout the year, especially holidays and special events (of which I am glad to say thare are plenty), it is nigh on impossible to get a room in the city. Occupancy rates are high and the lack of competition means higher rates. More hotels means more competition, lower rates and a better chance of visitors (and the spending money they bring) being able to stay.
Don David (21/10/2008 at 18:58)
Maybe print the facts, thats if your aware. I believe that it would have to be a massive payout if the Mr JW Mariott would allow this property to go before the lease is out!